The march in solidarity with Honda workers, organised by Unite and backed by the Adver, will travel through the town this Saturday in a bid to help save at least some of the 3,500 jobs that will be lost if the plant closes in 2021.

Union bosses fear anywhere up to 12,000 job could be lost further down the supply chain, with the news from Honda signalling a worrying outlook for the UK's car manufacturing future.

Swindon-born Nick Hewer, presenter of Countdown and former right-hand man to Sir Alan Sugar on The Apprentice, has signed the Unite pledge to back the workers in Swindon.

James Phipps, from Swindon, and the former CEO and founder of Excalibur Communications also threw his weight behind the march.

He told the Adver: “Honda has been a huge part of the economical development of Swindon for many years and it’s devastating effect by closing is going to be felt by thousands of people locally and further afield.

"I hope that there is a way to make the economics work for Honda to remain in Swindon and the UK and all government departments, councils, unions and business groups should come together to find a way to make it work.”

The march will meet outside the County Ground car park at 11am and weave its way through Swindon town centre to end at GWR Park where key speakers, entertainment, and music will help build momentum to keep Honda investment in Swindon.

Workers from the plant will be joined by those in the local and national supply chain in car manufacturing, and even as far a field as Europe.

At the time of going to press the #SaveHondaSwindon petition has gathered more than 15,000 signatures. To sign go to www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/honda-stay-in-the-uk-savehondaswindon?source=unite.